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Martin Graham came to Las Vegas like most people do, looking for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Instead of striking it rich as a blackjack dealer, his handsome, clean-cut face and robust body caught the eye of a beautiful young girl from one of the city’s established elites, the Randolphs. It was love at first sight.
Julia Randolph was strong-willed, confident and spoiled. Although he truly loved Julia, Martin knew marrying into a wealthy family was not a bad idea in a city built on fast money and cheap luck. When it was obvious his headstrong daughter would not let her father’s demands keep her from marrying Martin, Papa gave him a management job in one of his resorts. Graham was determined to show Julia she had chosen wisely and set about making a name for himself.
Martin took classes in real estate and got his license just as Las Vegas saw a housing boom. Casinos were popping up like wildflowers after a desert rain and so were the fast-growing suburbs. He made his own fortune and with Julia’s help they found a prominent place in the Las Vegas high society. Being a part of the Randolph empire helped propel Martin into the spotlight.
If some rules were broken along the way, no one cared. This was old Las Vegas, where anything goes. Martin had made a few backroom deals with some notorious kingpins that held a grip on Las Vegas during the city’s darker decades. Although organized crime was no longer in charge, the dark element was still present, only now it wore a legitimate corporation face. It didn’t matter to Graham. He catered to both elements, good and bad, so long as his career prospered.
Aside from his insatiable desire for power, Martin Graham had one vice... young, pleasure-loving women. He loved his wife, but it was hard to resist a busty showgirl or exotic dancer. Since he dared not let his vice become public, he kept his indiscretions behind closed doors.
Julia Graham was not naïve to Martin’s wandering eye, but she still loved him despite it. She turned a blind side to it in order to keep her heart from breaking. She tolerated his late night excuses about ‘working late’ by keeping busy with her work. Julia couldn’t face what she knew was going on. Love can turn a blind eye to what it doesn’t want to accept. A college graduate who majored in business, Julia had one grand passion, carrying on the family’s charity work. The Randolph Foundation supported everything from childcare to shelters; hospitals to nursing homes. Everyone knew her for the lavish fundraising parties attended by celebrities, politicians and casino owners. Getting invited to one of Julia’s affairs was sought-after like gold.
The Grahams’ wealth, power and fame could not replace the children they never had. Instead, Julia gave other children love and a home through her many charities. It never disappointed Martin that he didn’t know fatherhood. Business and politics were his children. Now, in their early fifties the Grahams lived a charmed life. Julia had her parties and Martin had his deals. As the years drifted on, they drifted farther and farther apart until they were two strangers sharing a big, empty house.
The mega casinos and luxurious resorts dominate Las Vegas and are its biggest contributor to the tax base. Graham understood this fact unequivocally. When a few of them learned of Martin’s ‘weakness’ it was a convenient way to get what they wanted. Real estate tycoon Jonas Beckett was the first to cash in on Graham’s adulterous desires. Soon he had Martin wrapped around his finger. Julia hated Jonas’ influence over Martin but said nothing. She didn’t know what Beckett had on her husband, but it couldn’t be a good thing. She knew the kind of man Jonas really was but said nothing, letting Martin fall deeper into the web of lies. It was her way of getting back at her husband for cheating.
Jonas Beckett was one of Ciro’s best corrupted souls in Las Vegas. Martin’s unholy connection with Jonas was simple. It was a partnership, Ciro encouraged. Jonas wanted insider information about land deals and foreclosures the city was considering. With his power and influence on the city council, Martin knew what properties could be considered condemnable under eminent domain. Thus, using his position to influence real estate deals along and near the Strip. Martin would notify Beckett in advance, allowing him to scoop up those properties that had to sell or were forced out. A percentage of Beckett’s profits would flow back to Martin under the table. Graham willingly accepted Beckett’s bribes thinking he was in control. Things worked well for several years as long as Jonas was calling the shots. Martin was in so deep to Beckett that he would do anything he wanted.
There were also a few who controlled the gambling business in Las Vegas. They needed someone who could influence the gambling commission in their favor. Martin Graham was just the person willing to sell his soul. Martin would do anything to keep his wrongdoings away from his wife. He catered to their whims and desires. In turn, they kept him in office. The more he did for Beckett and others, the deeper Martin sank into the corruption until the only way out was prison or death.
Martin served on the council for several years, but he was eyeing something new. The state congressional seat was up for grabs when the elderly statesman retired. Martin contacted his ruthless and powerful associates for help. His real ambition was the governorship, and they could make it happen. It wasn’t a problem so long as Martin stayed in their back pocket and his favors continued. A mistake he would pay dearly for one day.